国际英语新闻：Egypt's longest-ruling president Mubarak resigns after 18 days of protest

CAIRO, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- In an unexpected move, Egypt's Vice President Omar Suleiman announced Friday that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has tasked the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to manage the state's affairs, ending his 30 years of rule.

A step that was received with victorious crowds chanting for the military and praising their efforts in safeguarding people's aspirations, the Egyptian Supreme Council of Armed Forces said it will not replace the legitimacy of the people.

"We realized the seriousness of the current situation, we are studying all the necessary procedures and steps to achieve people' s demands and we will declare a statement of the proposed plans," said the army spokesman.

Protestors in the Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the revolt, as well as the rest of the country, celebrated the historic event with dancing, singing and fireworks. Drivers blew horns on the streets.

"I am glad to hear that the president steps down," said a protestor. "But I am not sure what the county's future will be after the military takes over the power."

Adel Sabry, a member of the higher commission of the opposition Wafd Party, told Xinhua that it is a good way to change Egypt, who will see a new paper opened in its political life.

He expected talks between the opposition parties to begin as soon as possible and the military will save the country from chaos.

On Jan.25, thousands of Egyptian protesters hit the streets in an uNPRecedented demonstration against President Hosni Mubarak and the government, clashing with police and causing downtown Cairo to become standstill. The protest came after several self-immolation cases across the country, apparently inspired by the recent unrest in Tunisia which forced the change of its political arena.

The protesters on Jan. 25 continued until the Egyptian police decided to disperse them using water cannons. Violence erupted for several days. The Egyptian stock market EGX 30 closed down at 10.52 percent drop, yet expected to open on Sunday after a week drop. In addition, a curfew was imposed that tightened business and transportation in Egypt.